Pulled the trigger on a CADLight 125 Artisan

Well after tons of reading forums and researching I went with the Cadlight 125, even after reading all the negative feedback about customer service. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday evening and they seem really nice and knowledgeable. I will be updating this thread as I go. They told me it will be shipping out Wednesday and will take about 1 week to arrive on my driveway. I really hope this all goes smoothly and I can give some good feedback.

Well after tons of reading forums and researching I went with the Cadlight 125, even after reading all the negative feedback about customer service. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday evening and they seem really nice and knowledgeable. I will be updating this thread as I go. They told me it will be shipping out Wednesday and will take about 1 week to arrive on my driveway. I really hope this all goes smoothly and I can give some good feedback.

A good place to start when considering sand is to look at what you plan to stock as some fish require a dsb (deep sand bed). Some folks prefer a finer grain of sand while others a more coarse grain. As for rock, you can pick up rock at almost any lfs. Sometimes you can find some nice seeded rock available on our Buy, Sell, Trade forum. Or you can pick up some dry rock...

What are you envisioning for your system? This may be the best tool in helping to decide what route to take.

I did try my LFS but they want $6 per lb of rock which I thought was crazy! I was thinking a 1" to 1.5" inch sand bed. I want a mix reef tank, starting with some clowns/tangs and some softies and beginner corals.
I like the coarse grain as I dont want it blowing around.

Sadly $6 per pound is pretty close to the norm unless you can pick some up from someone breaking down a tank.

I have a mixed reef set up on both my systems. In one I use a more fine sandbed mixed with a crushed coral. I do notice with that set up I get more sand blowing around depending on the flow from my powerhead. My other set up I use Tropic Marin Fiji Pink, which I absolutely love! I have a yellow coris wrasse in that system as well and he has no issues with the heavier sand and being able to bury himself in it.